Any one ridden a Lambretta?

Ninjinsky · April 16th, 2016, 03:57 PM

Just wondering what it is like to ride a classic scooter like a Lambretta or Vespa?

(image credit dreamscooter.net)

SLOWn60 · April 16th, 2016, 04:01 PM

Me on a Vespa? Picture a dog on a flea!

Racer x · April 16th, 2016, 04:46 PM

I have pushed a couple. Sorry just kidding. They are cool.

HoneyBadgerRy · April 16th, 2016, 05:22 PM

From my Zuma experience, I have zero interest in riding one.

cadd · April 16th, 2016, 07:55 PM

That thing would probably sell for $5,000 in Brooklyn, NY.

corksil · April 16th, 2016, 10:37 PM

Add some rainbow tassles on the handlebars and it would look perfect leading the gay pride parade.

Ninjinsky · April 17th, 2016, 04:45 AM

toEleven · April 17th, 2016, 07:59 PM

According to Fastest (or one of the other MotoGP documentary's in the series), the catholic priest in Rossi's hometown used to own/ride a Lambretta. A girl I used to know also once suggested getting Vespas, starting a gang called the V Club, and passing out V cards to all members.

More importantly, be sure to bring a friend if you ride one. Going along with the group opinion here, you might need this

Link to original page on YouTube.

The odds look poor, but maybe someone will come along to give you a serious response. Where do all our stylish bespoke-suited Italian members hang out again?

greg737 · April 17th, 2016, 10:19 PM

Posted via Mobile Device
I'd like a Cezeta, the really weird looking Czech scooter.

SLOWn60 · April 17th, 2016, 10:50 PM

My only concerns with scooters are 12" wheels, only your head is visible in traffic and no one wears gear except for a helmet!
Other than that; I love scooter peeps!

image.jpg

Racer x · April 18th, 2016, 03:05 AM

Scooters rock
They have storage for stuff under the seat plus the little hook so you c an hang groceries. They are fun and easy to ride. Everyone likes them. In traffic they are super maneuverable. They get between 50 and 100 mpg. The insurance is very reasonable. They are great in the rain because your feed don't get wet. And in snow you put your feet out and the CVT trans will dig through the snow and find traction. If they fall over they are light and you can pick them up.
After about 125cc you can go on the highway and hit 70 mph . Passengers like the comfy seat on the maxi scooters like the Burgman 650 and if you want a super scoot check out the Morphous. Like riding a couch.
My daily driver is a Scarabeo 50. I have had it for years and only change tires and brake pads. Other than a headlight bulb problem it has never needed anything but gas and oil. It is fun to rid full throttle and use momentum rather than power to get around.

Ninjinsky · April 18th, 2016, 06:20 AM

You tube to the rescue

Seems quite brisk and the sound takes me back to my early two stroke days
The weird twisty gear lever/ clutch looks like it would take some getting used to.

Brit vid so a bit of a coordination crisis for our American friends. (you can watch in a mirror

)

Link to original page on YouTube.

hobbes748 · April 19th, 2016, 02:55 AM

Buy yourself a squirrel, give it a bag and train it to follow you and collect all the bits that fall off as you ride along.

But seriously, as a teenager I had a few Lambo's - LI150, GP150, GP225 (Arthur Francis conversion) and a SX150 too. I found them fun, good for posing on and they helped me attract gurls too, but I had a shot on a beautifully restored LI last season and it did nothing for me. After 10 minutes my left wrist ached from the gearchanges, the ride was (by today's comparison) terrible and I just felt like an old dude trying to recapture my youth.

If I was still young and skinny I'd maybe have another - although I wouldn't want to pay today's prices. The AF225 was the most expensive one I ever owned and I think I only paid about £600 for it - but hey, that was in the late 80's.

"A" · April 19th, 2016, 07:44 AM

Classic scoots are too much of a hipster niche for me, riding one seems to be more about image than being practical transport... like riding a Harley.
I have been riding a Chinese scooter since the last gas price hike back in 2008, 249cc Honda Helix clone engine.. It cost my $1600 (new in 2008) delivered to my driveway in a crate.

Since then it has over 18k miles now.. on/off pavement, long trips and short local commutes, hauled many bulky items and still get well over 70 mpg.
It's been the most reliable vehicle I've owned so far.. 8 years of ownership.. other than burned fuses and flat tires.. even those never left me stranded roadside. Oil change takes about 15 minutes, valve adjustments takes about 5 mins while the engine is running and only require a single 8mm box wrench... talk about practicality.

Lately, I've been involved with older Honda C90 or CT90. Back in 2013, I picked up a C110 clone:

It's been use as a commuter between Brooklyn/Manhattan.. amazingly efficient and zipping among city traffic... even more so than the Ninja 250.

Just last month, I completed a recent project. 1976 Honda CT90 conversion to a cafe racer:

Ninjinsky · April 19th, 2016, 10:10 AM

"valve adjustments takes about 5 mins while the engine is running and only require a single 8mm box wrench"

Hmm, Now I have "valve adjustment envy", Who'da thought it?

"A" · April 19th, 2016, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninjinsky

"valve adjustments takes about 5 mins while the engine is running and only require a single 8mm box wrench"

Hmm, Now I have "valve adjustment envy", Who'da thought it?

Below is a link to valve adjustment video.. I've done it enough times that all I need is a 8mm box wrench.
Takes less than 5 min to do on my scooter, doesn't even require removal of any body panels.
https://youtu.be/13DrozfGnOc

broken neck · April 19th, 2016, 07:50 PM

Got a "basement find" when we bought our triplex last July.

A 1974 Vespa Sprint 150 V, been sitting in the basement since 1978...

Gotta take the time to make it run again... Don't know if I'll love riding a 4 speeds scooter...

Ninjinsky · May 12th, 2016, 05:49 AM

Just came across the neat little Vega/ Luna /Lui series. all the more impressive for being a 1968 design! Certainly doesn't look nearly 50.

hobbes748 · May 12th, 2016, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninjinsky

Just came across the neat little Vega/ Luna /Lui series. all the more impressive for being a 1968 design! Certainly doesn't look nearly 50.

There were a few of us in the UK that grafted these leg-shields onto a cutdown LI/GP/SX frame. The forks/headstock needed shortening but the end result was quite impressive. If I can find a pic I'll post it up.

hobbes748 · May 12th, 2016, 05:57 AM

Here we go. This is what we used to do...

http://www.ilambretta.co.uk/forum/vi...hp?f=10&t=1919

April 16th, 2016, 03:57 PM	#1
Ninjinsky ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Paul Location: UK Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250, Yamaha RS200 (classic) Posts: A lot.	Any one ridden a Lambretta? Just wondering what it is like to ride a classic scooter like a Lambretta or Vespa? (image credit dreamscooter.net)
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

April 16th, 2016, 04:01 PM	#2
SLOWn60 n00bie to wannabie Name: Bill Location: St Ives, BC (Shuswap Lake) Join Date: Sep 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2012 250R (Red), 2005 VFR800A (Red), CRF450X (Red), 2012 F800GS (Wants to be Red!) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Nov '15	Me on a Vespa? Picture a dog on a flea! __________________________________________________ The Smart Money: #1 - ATGATT, #2 - Training (machine skills and survival skills), #3 - The bike; whatever floats yer boat with the money you have left over

April 16th, 2016, 04:46 PM	#3
Racer x ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Iowa City Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 54 MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16	I have pushed a couple. Sorry just kidding. They are cool. __________________________________________________ Top speed 123.369mph. Ohio mile Worlds fastest 250 ninja

April 16th, 2016, 05:22 PM	#4
HoneyBadgerRy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Ryan Location: Beaufort SC Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 05 Ninja 250, 04 KTM 625 SMC, 01 Xc250 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 3	From my Zuma experience, I have zero interest in riding one. __________________________________________________ Because Unregistered sucks at riding.

April 16th, 2016, 07:55 PM	#5
cadd cadd cadd cadd Name: Cadd Location: 41°21'13.1"N, 74°41'37.4"W Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 300 Posts: A lot. MOTM - May '15	That thing would probably sell for $5,000 in Brooklyn, NY. __________________________________________________ Riding it like I financed it.

April 16th, 2016, 10:37 PM	#6
corksil ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: TC Location: Hawaii Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): A lot. Posts: A lot.	Add some rainbow tassles on the handlebars and it would look perfect leading the gay pride parade. __________________________________________________ Just batshit crazy. All his posts are endless diatribes. Some are actually entertaining but mostly batshit crazy.

April 17th, 2016, 04:45 AM	#7
Ninjinsky ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Paul Location: UK Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250, Yamaha RS200 (classic) Posts: A lot.

April 17th, 2016, 07:59 PM	#8
toEleven Slower than you. Name: toEleven Location: NoVA Join Date: Oct 2015 Motorcycle(s): CBR600RR, CB750, EX300 (半蔵) Posts: 667 MOTM - May '16	According to Fastest (or one of the other MotoGP documentary's in the series), the catholic priest in Rossi's hometown used to own/ride a Lambretta. A girl I used to know also once suggested getting Vespas, starting a gang called the V Club, and passing out V cards to all members. More importantly, be sure to bring a friend if you ride one. Going along with the group opinion here, you might need this Link to original page on YouTube. The odds look poor, but maybe someone will come along to give you a serious response. Where do all our stylish bespoke-suited Italian members hang out again? __________________________________________________ DISCLAIMERv1.0: There may be more info on the topic than this forum post. Conduct your own research. If another thread is linked or quoted, go read it yourself.

April 17th, 2016, 10:19 PM	#9
greg737 - Name: - Location: - Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): - Posts: A lot.	Posted via Mobile Device I'd like a Cezeta, the really weird looking Czech scooter.

April 17th, 2016, 10:50 PM	#10
SLOWn60 n00bie to wannabie Name: Bill Location: St Ives, BC (Shuswap Lake) Join Date: Sep 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2012 250R (Red), 2005 VFR800A (Red), CRF450X (Red), 2012 F800GS (Wants to be Red!) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Nov '15	My only concerns with scooters are 12" wheels, only your head is visible in traffic and no one wears gear except for a helmet! Other than that; I love scooter peeps! image.jpg __________________________________________________ The Smart Money: #1 - ATGATT, #2 - Training (machine skills and survival skills), #3 - The bike; whatever floats yer boat with the money you have left over
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

April 18th, 2016, 03:05 AM	#11
Racer x ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Iowa City Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 54 MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16	Scooters rock They have storage for stuff under the seat plus the little hook so you c an hang groceries. They are fun and easy to ride. Everyone likes them. In traffic they are super maneuverable. They get between 50 and 100 mpg. The insurance is very reasonable. They are great in the rain because your feed don't get wet. And in snow you put your feet out and the CVT trans will dig through the snow and find traction. If they fall over they are light and you can pick them up. After about 125cc you can go on the highway and hit 70 mph . Passengers like the comfy seat on the maxi scooters like the Burgman 650 and if you want a super scoot check out the Morphous. Like riding a couch. My daily driver is a Scarabeo 50. I have had it for years and only change tires and brake pads. Other than a headlight bulb problem it has never needed anything but gas and oil. It is fun to rid full throttle and use momentum rather than power to get around. __________________________________________________ Top speed 123.369mph. Ohio mile Worlds fastest 250 ninja
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

April 18th, 2016, 06:20 AM	#12
Ninjinsky ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Paul Location: UK Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250, Yamaha RS200 (classic) Posts: A lot.	You tube to the rescue Seems quite brisk and the sound takes me back to my early two stroke days The weird twisty gear lever/ clutch looks like it would take some getting used to. Brit vid so a bit of a coordination crisis for our American friends. (you can watch in a mirror ) Link to original page on YouTube.

April 19th, 2016, 02:55 AM	#13
hobbes748 ninjette.org member Name: Steven Location: North Berwick, UK Join Date: Mar 2016 Motorcycle(s): 1996 Ducati 748sp, 2008 Suzuki RMz 250, 1998 Yamaha PW50 Posts: 10	Buy yourself a squirrel, give it a bag and train it to follow you and collect all the bits that fall off as you ride along. But seriously, as a teenager I had a few Lambo's - LI150, GP150, GP225 (Arthur Francis conversion) and a SX150 too. I found them fun, good for posing on and they helped me attract gurls too, but I had a shot on a beautifully restored LI last season and it did nothing for me. After 10 minutes my left wrist ached from the gearchanges, the ride was (by today's comparison) terrible and I just felt like an old dude trying to recapture my youth. If I was still young and skinny I'd maybe have another - although I wouldn't want to pay today's prices. The AF225 was the most expensive one I ever owned and I think I only paid about £600 for it - but hey, that was in the late 80's.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

April 19th, 2016, 07:44 AM	#14
"A" vampire Name: A Location: IT Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.	Classic scoots are too much of a hipster niche for me, riding one seems to be more about image than being practical transport... like riding a Harley. I have been riding a Chinese scooter since the last gas price hike back in 2008, 249cc Honda Helix clone engine.. It cost my $1600 (new in 2008) delivered to my driveway in a crate. Since then it has over 18k miles now.. on/off pavement, long trips and short local commutes, hauled many bulky items and still get well over 70 mpg. It's been the most reliable vehicle I've owned so far.. 8 years of ownership.. other than burned fuses and flat tires.. even those never left me stranded roadside. Oil change takes about 15 minutes, valve adjustments takes about 5 mins while the engine is running and only require a single 8mm box wrench... talk about practicality. Lately, I've been involved with older Honda C90 or CT90. Back in 2013, I picked up a C110 clone: It's been use as a commuter between Brooklyn/Manhattan.. amazingly efficient and zipping among city traffic... even more so than the Ninja 250. Just last month, I completed a recent project. 1976 Honda CT90 conversion to a cafe racer:
	4 out of 4 members found this post helpful.

April 19th, 2016, 10:10 AM	#15
Ninjinsky ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Paul Location: UK Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250, Yamaha RS200 (classic) Posts: A lot.	"valve adjustments takes about 5 mins while the engine is running and only require a single 8mm box wrench" Hmm, Now I have "valve adjustment envy", Who'da thought it?
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

April 19th, 2016, 07:50 PM	#17
broken neck ninjette.org guru Name: Thomas Location: Montréal Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R Special Edition (sold), 2017 CRF250 Rally Posts: 384	Got a "basement find" when we bought our triplex last July. A 1974 Vespa Sprint 150 V, been sitting in the basement since 1978... Gotta take the time to make it run again... Don't know if I'll love riding a 4 speeds scooter...

May 12th, 2016, 05:49 AM	#18
Ninjinsky ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Paul Location: UK Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250, Yamaha RS200 (classic) Posts: A lot.	Just came across the neat little Vega/ Luna /Lui series. all the more impressive for being a 1968 design! Certainly doesn't look nearly 50.

May 12th, 2016, 05:57 AM	#20
hobbes748 ninjette.org member Name: Steven Location: North Berwick, UK Join Date: Mar 2016 Motorcycle(s): 1996 Ducati 748sp, 2008 Suzuki RMz 250, 1998 Yamaha PW50 Posts: 10	Here we go. This is what we used to do... http://www.ilambretta.co.uk/forum/vi...hp?f=10&t=1919
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

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